Bible
Study: Micah 7, 14 to 15 and 18 to 20. Luke 15, 1 to 3
and 11 to 32.
Whenever
we read the story of the prodigal son, there is a re-awakening of this feeling
of “no-matter-what,” God will forgive me my sins. But then, what happens is
that like the prodigal son, we go out again and again to continue squandering
the father’s wealth hoping to come home again and again and be welcomed with a
party.
Dear
friends, let us not forget that the story of the prodigal son is not a report
of how things are done in heaven. The story is just a parable, a vehicle that
Jesus used to convey a message to his critics; the Scribes and Pharisees who
saw him eating with tax collectors. And what is the message? That we ought to
love rather than discriminate others simply because of their sins.
When we
say God is merciful, it does not mean that he does not care about whatever we
do. He is not a tissue paper who is just there to wipe us off each we mess up.
He is a Father and deserves more than that. Yes, Jesus ate with tax collectors
and sinners but all those who sat at table with him had a complete change of
heart. Jesus was not encouraging them to sin more, he only decided to shift the
location of the pulpit from the altar to the table! He did this so perfectly
that a man like Levi swore to return fourfold whatever he had taken deceitfully
from people.
Rather than
write people off and condemn them, Jesus was saying, why not show them love and
allow your love touch their hearts in a way that your words can’t. The story of
the prodigal son shows us that God continues to love even the most hardened
sinners and values their return much more than the steadfastness of those keeping
the faith. So if we want to make God happy, we must do all we can to bring sinners
back to God and we would win more persons with an attitude of love and concern
than we would with an attitude of condemnation.
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, the prophet Micah asks: “Who is like you, a God who pardons our guilt
and takes away our faults?” Help me never to take advantage of your mercy but
continue to strive each day to walk in your light. Amen.
God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is
well with you. Happy Saturday rest!
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